Starbucks Issues 4th RTO Mandate, Requires 4 Days In Office

Starbucks will require corporate employees to work from the office four days per week starting September 29, 2025, up from the previous three-day requirement, according to Bloomberg.

The change is part of the company’s new “Back to Starbucks” plan, announced Monday. Alongside the updated attendance policy, the company told remote people managers they must relocate to Seattle or Toronto within the next 12 months or leave the company. Starbucks is offering a voluntary exit package with a one-time cash payment to employees who choose not to return.

This marks the coffee chain’s fourth return-to-office policy update in just three years as it seeks to reestablish “in-office culture” and reverse five consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines.

“We are reestablishing our in-office culture because we do our best work when we’re together,” said CEO Brian Niccol in a statement. “As we work to turn the business around, all these things matter more than ever.”

Here is everything you need to know about Starbucks’s return-to-office plan.

RTO Timeline At Starbucks

Here is a timeline of RTO mandates made by Starbucks over the past three years.

Jan 12, 2023: 3 Days/Week For Corporate Employees

“Corporate workers at Starbucks must return to the office at least three days a week by the end of January, interim CEO Howard Schultz announced in a Wednesday memo, as another corporate giant clamps down on remote work.” (source)

Oct 28, 2024: 3 Days/Week (Or Risk Losing Your Job)

“Starbucks office workers will risk losing their jobs if they fail to comply with the company’s hybrid work requirement that employees are in the office three times a week. An internal message sent to employees warns that an ‘accountability process’ will start in January 2025. Consequences for non-compliance are ‘up to, and including, separation.'” (source)

The Guardian added, “The message said the company will no longer make Tuesday a required in-office day, leaving it up to managers to determine the best day for their teams. The three-day office policy has been in place for two years.”

Feb 24, 2025: 3 Days/Week For VPs And Above

“Moving forward, vp+ leaders in North America will need to be present with their teams in our Seattle (U.S.) and Toronto (Canada) offices at least three days a week.”

“Generally, partners working remotely in director and below roles today will keep their remote status. Hiring for future roles will require partners to be Seattle or Toronto based, except for enterprise designated remote positions.”

(source)

Jul 14, 2025: 4 Days/Week For All

Source: Starbucks raises in-office requirement to four days per week starting September 29, 2025.

• Remote people managers must relocate or leave.
• A voluntary exit program is offered to those who opt out.

View All Return To Office Plans For The Fortune 500

Every month, we update every Fortune 500 company’s return-to-office policy. You can view the data below.